University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge commonly referred to as Cambridge University or simply Cambridge is an institution of higher learning based in Cambridge, England, and the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world. Cambridge was established in 1209 [1] by scholars fleeing the hostility of the townsmen in Oxford, the historical reason for the rivalry between the two Universities.

Cambridge operates under a collegiate system, and is a confederation of colleges, faculties, and institutions[2]. The University administration is relatively small compared to the size of the University. Many functions that are normally carried out by the central university bureaucracy in other universities are carried out by the colleges as at Oxford University. The functions of the colleges include teaching and research. Some colleges are for specific groups; for example, Lucy Cavendish and Newnham college are for women only, while St Edmund's and Wolfson college are for mature students. Degrees are however conferred by the University. A person with a degree from Cambridge can put Cantab. after their name and degree, Cantab. being short for Cantabrigian (from the Latin name for the city, which is Cantabrigia.)

The Universities of Oxford and Cambridge collectively are often known as "Oxbridge". Historically, these two universities are regarded as the top English universities. They are therefore notoriously hard to get into, with an average application:place ratio of 5:1. Oxbridge are also amongst the few in the UK that require candidates for all subjects to be interviewed before an offer is made. There are many myths about tutors asking candidates highly unusual questions.